PHOENIX: GUARDS: With Steve Nash gone, GORAN DRAGIC takes over at the point. He was a monster as a starter in Houston late last year, and he's familiar with Phoenix's system from his time there as Nash's backup . . . SHANNON BROWN is one of the league's better sixth men and could end up seeing close to starter minutes this year. Once just a raw athlete, he's made major strides as a shooter and ball-handler . . . KENDALL MARSHALL was a bit of a product of an absurdly talented supporting cast in college at UNC. He's got work to do to become an NBA-caliber starter, but he'll be capable enough as a backup point guard as a rookie . . . SEBASTIAN TELFAIR still can't hit an open jump shot, but will factor into the backcourt rotation. FORWARDS: LUIS SCOLA steps in as the starting four. While he's in his 30's and an underwhelming athlete, he's crafty and relentless . . . JARED DUDLEY will continue to be their main catch-and-shoot threat on the wing. It might take a while to develop an on-court chemistry with Dragic . . . MICHAEL BEASLEY has a chance to grab a starting spot. He rarely has his head on straight, but he can score . . . CHANNING FRYE, the sharp-shooting 7-footer, will likely miss the 2012-13 season due to an enlarged heart, but this condition is expected to completely heal . . . WESLEY JOHNSON gets a fresh start. He needs to start knocking down shots to land a rotation spot . . . MARKIEFF MORRIS showed flashes as a rookie, but has to make better decisions on the offensive end. He'll be a key on the second unit . . . Well-traveled P.J. TUCKER earned himself a roster spot with an impressive Summer League. CENTERS: MARCIN GORTAT had a great year-and-a-half alongside Steve Nash, and he'll have to prove he can create in the low post a little more. But he's a skilled big man who should pair nicely with Luis Scola as a scorer and passer in the post . . . Injury-riddled JERMAINE O'NEAL is still a strong low-post defender and shot-blocker.

MEMPHIS: GUARDS: The Grizzlies will scale back MIKE CONLEY's minutes a bit. He's a quality starting point guard, but seemed to lose some pep as last season wore on . . . TONY ALLEN figures to see more playing time now that O.J. Mayo is gone. He's an outstanding defender who will be the fifth option on offense . . . JERRYD BAYLESS figures to become the new sixth man and Allen platoon partner. He'll also spell Conley at the point, leading to solid minutes for the combo guard . . . Second-year man JOSH SELBY has a chance for a rotation spot after starring in the Summer League. He has big offensive upside . . . WAYNE ELLINGTON seems like an emergency plan for the second unit . . . This is likely a redshirt year for talented, but erratic, rookie TONY WROTEN. FORWARDS: RUDY GAY is going to lead the Grizzlies in touches and shots. He's not shy about looking for iso situations . . . ZACH RANDOLPH had trouble getting back into the flow after his knee injury. It's always been a fragile balance with Z-Bo, and he could be an odd man out going forward . . . MARREESE SPEIGHTS should be the offensive focal point of the bench unit as their sixth man . . . QUINCY PONDEXTER is a versatile defensive piece who will see solid minutes off the bench. He's a non-factor offensively, though . . . DARRELL ARTHUR suffered a non-displaced fractured in his leg in late September, and will not likely be ready when the season begins. A rising young big, his role will depend on when his athleticism comes back. CENTERS: The Grizzlies are at their best when MARC GASOL is getting touches and shots on the offensive end. Whether or not Gay and Randolph are willing to share is a concern, but Gasol has to be aggressive when the ball is in his hands . . . HAMED HADDADI will continue to play limited minutes off the bench.

Blowing a 14-point fourth-quarter lead to their division rivals, the Memphis Grizzlies missed out on a chance to make an early statement.

The Grizzlies have an opportunity to bounce back on Tuesday night when they host the Phoenix Suns, who will try to avoid a fourth straight defeat.

While the Spurs' Big Three were refreshed following two days off that ultimately cost the team a $250,000 fine, the Grizzlies were playing the second half of a back-to-back on Saturday night.

Memphis (12-3) led 76-62 with 9:41 to play, but couldn't hold on in a 99-95 overtime loss at two-time Southwest Division champ San Antonio.

"We don't use any excuses here," said guard Mike Conley, who finished with 18 points and 12 assists. "We felt like we had a chance to win the game regardless of back-to-back or resting."

The Grizzlies, though, appear to be in a better position against the Suns (7-11). Since the season opener, they're 4-0 with at least two days rest.

The extra time could benefit big man Zach Randolph, who has shot 8 of 29 from the field in his last two games. He's averaging 18.0 points with a 51.7 field-goal percentage and 12.3 rebounds with at least two days rest.

After posting double-doubles in his first 11 games of the season, Randolph has just two in his last four following a 17-point, 15-rebound effort against the Spurs. Rudy Gay finished with 15 and 10, respectively, for his first double-double of the season.

Gay played a major role in the team's only win over Phoenix in 2011-12, scoring 32 points in a 104-93 victory on April 11. He averaged 23.0 points in the three meetings last season.

Starting guard Tony Allen, who missed the final game against Phoenix last season because of a facial laceration, is questionable with a groin injury.

The Grizzlies are tied with Miami for the best record in the NBA, but they fell to 5-3 against Western Conference opponents. Still, Memphis will try to continue its franchise-best 8-1 start at home against a Suns team that is 2-8 on the road.

Phoenix is 1-4 heading into the finale of its six-game road trip and has lost three in a row following a 106-99 defeat at New York on Sunday.

Goran Dragic, the team's leading scorer at 15.6 points entering the contest, finished with a season-low nine against the Knicks.

Marcin Gortat finished with a team-high 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who have trailed by double digits in 14 of their 18 games.

"When you get down 15, 20 points, you kind of need a perfect storm to come back," said forward Michael Beasley, who had nine points. "I feel like we're relying on that perfect storm in too many of our games."

Gortat was one of the biggest reasons Phoenix took two of three from the Grizzlies last season, averaging 15.7 points and 8.7 rebounds. Jared Dudley, now a bench player for the Suns, totaled 39 points in the two victories over Memphis.

The Suns, though, will have to find a way to improve defensively. They've allowed a league-worst 102.7 points per game, including 108.0 during their three-game losing streak.

They might have to do it without forward Jermaine O'Neal, the team's second-leading shot blocker. O'Neal, who averages 1.7 blocks, could be out for a second straight game due to a right quadriceps strain.